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FCC: Broadband Plan Will Be Huge
Biggest project the commission has ever undertaken...
by Karl Bode Thursday 21-May-2009 tags: legal · competition · fcc · business
Given we've never really had a broadband deployment plan (doing nothing and/or pandering to AT&T, Comcast and Verizon is not a plan), it should prove interesting to see what Uncle Sam has in store later this year when the new plan is unveiled. According to interim FCC boss Michael Copps, the new broadband plan "will likely be the biggest project the FCC has ever undertaken." Given the FCC's history with tracking accurate broadband deployment and congratulating itself on overstated broadband competition, that may thrill and/or terrify you in equal measure, depending on your personal political proclivities.

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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace

join:2004-08-07
New York, NY

Here we go folks....

Regardless of how you feel about this, we can all expect to see a big increase in the taxes we pay to cover this upcoming fiasco. Money under the matress anyone?

nothing00

join:2001-06-10
Centereach, NY

correction: ..the biggest corporate giveaway the FCC has..

That's what Copps meant to say anyway. Maybe they're trying to outdo themselves as a follow on to the spectrum auctions.

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1

Re: Here we go folks....

Crisis, Spend the next generations money, Crisis, spend the following generations money.

BF69
Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
said by wifi4milez:

Regardless of how you feel about this, we can all expect to see a big increase in the taxes we pay to cover this upcoming fiasco. Money under the matress anyone?
Are you seriously that stupid?

Ok it's alreay been discussed that it would cost $150 billion( about what the top ten richest people in the US have ) to built out broadband everywhere. Now let's just say we double that just in case so that's $300 billion. Now it's also been stated it's 10 year project. More likely 12 years. So $300 billion over 12 years is 25 billion a year. Cost per citizen $80 a year. And that if teh governemnt is footing 100% of the bill which they won't be.

Get off the every dime the government spends is bad. Sorry this is REAL life not fantasyland. There will NEVER be a time where there won't be taxes to be paid. I get so sick of idiots that expect everything for free and somehow expect everything to magically get paid for without money.
Austinloop

join:2001-08-19
Austin, TX
kudos:1
Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse

Re: Here we go folks....

Sorry, BF, got to disagree with you, but it is a big deal at $80.00 per month per person, that is just one governmental body putting their had in your wallet, there is universal health care, etc, etc. After all the $80 are combined for each individual, it is a considerable sum.

BF69
Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

Re: Here we go folks....

said by Austinloop:

Sorry, BF, got to disagree with you, but it is a big deal at $80.00 per month per person, that is just one governmental body putting their had in your wallet, there is universal health care, etc, etc. After all the $80 are combined for each individual, it is a considerable sum.
That's $80 a YEAR ninny. Since when do you file income taxes monthly? Reading is not your strong suit I see. And that's the average. The fact is that the top 5% incomes pay 95% of the taxes. I'm going to assume you are in the bottom 95% that pays only 5% of the taxes. So that comes out to be $4.50 per YEAR durring the project's buildout.

Second most people pay more than $80 a year in USF taxes on their phone bills. Why not use that money for it?

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1
Reviews:
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·ViaTalk

Re: Here we go folks....

said by BF69:

said by Austinloop:

Sorry, BF, got to disagree with you, but it is a big deal at $80.00 per month per person, that is just one governmental body putting their had in your wallet, there is universal health care, etc, etc. After all the $80 are combined for each individual, it is a considerable sum.
That's $80 a YEAR ninny. Since when do you file income taxes monthly? Reading is not your strong suit I see. And that's the average. The fact is that the top 5% incomes pay 95% of the taxes. I'm going to assume you are in the bottom 95% that pays only 5% of the taxes. So that comes out to be $4.50 per YEAR durring the project's buildout.

Second most people pay more than $80 a year in USF taxes on their phone bills. Why not use that money for it?
But thats addition too, and with the price of energy and everything else going up all we will only be able to afford will be 128 dsl.
--
They Live... We Sleep...

“Spreading the wealth around” never results in a better outcome for people. It always results in destruction.

Skippy25

join:2000-09-13
Hazelwood, MO
I'm late to the party, but I would say it would be a wash as we will save more than $80 a year on broadband cost savings that we we as consumers would pay with the additional competition this will bring. (Assuming it brings some.)

baycreeker

@baycreek.net
It's 80 a year, not a month. hardly a drop in the bucket. well maybe a drop in the bucket but if you people reading this can't afford 80 a year then you suck at life

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace

join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
said by BF69:

said by wifi4milez:

Regardless of how you feel about this, we can all expect to see a big increase in the taxes we pay to cover this upcoming fiasco. Money under the matress anyone?
Are you seriously that stupid?
Are you seriously stupid enough to argue that a nationwide broadband plan that is "the biggest project the FCC has ever undertaken" wont raise taxes?? If so then I guess this is a rhetorical question for you....

said by BF69:

There will NEVER be a time where there won't be taxes to be paid.
Exactly, so perhaps we should look at ways to CUT additional taxes from being added on??

said by BF69:

I get so sick of idiots that expect everything for free and somehow expect everything to magically get paid for without money.
I 100% agree with that statement. In fact, I think this whole broadband plan is going to screw countless generations of Americans. It going to be the gift that keeps on giving (in a negative way), much like the rest of Obamas "initiatives". This is a bad idea, and if it was truly warranted it would be built out by private companies.
--
When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.
-Ronald Reagan-


pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

Re: Here we go folks....

My friend, you forget that most millennials believe that everything is free to begin with. Your logical points will be lost on most people in that generation.
--
Blagojevich / Madoff 2012!
wentlanc
You Can't Fix Dumb..

join:2003-07-30
Maineville, OH
said by wifi4milez:

This is a bad idea, and if it was truly warranted it would be built out by private companies.
It sure seems like private companies are dragging their asses as building out this infrastructure that you speak of. They sure want to get as much money out of the existing infrastructure as they can, and eliminate any competition that they can.

Since most ISPs are also content distributors, I for one believe that they should not have a monopoly over the delivery network. Let the infrastructure be run by public companies regulated by the PUC, and let these greedy idiots fight for the right to be a distributor of content.

cw

wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace

join:2004-08-07
New York, NY

Re: Here we go folks....

said by wentlanc:

said by wifi4milez:

This is a bad idea, and if it was truly warranted it would be built out by private companies.
It sure seems like private companies are dragging their asses as building out this infrastructure that you speak of.
Therein lies the dilemma. The reason the private companies havent built it is because its not profitable to do so. Hence, the government would be either forcing them to do it at a loss, OR the government would be spending OUR money on a money losing venture.

Take your pick, both options suck....
--
When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat.
-Ronald Reagan-

wentlanc
You Can't Fix Dumb..

join:2003-07-30
Maineville, OH

Re: Here we go folks....

I call bullshit on the fact that they cannot make a profit by creating an infrastructure. Why are they spending so much money on lobbying and lawsuits to prevent infrastructure by competitors??

cw
Klinky

join:2002-05-30
Beaverton, OR
Not profitable or more like they don't have to because there really isn't any competition in most areas? Who really has two cable companies to chose from or two phone companies to chose from in their area? Some don't even have competing telco & cable companies in their area.

It's real simple to keep pushing the same crap when there's no one else to turn to. It's either pay-up or live without & as time goes on the internet is become a very vital resource to most Americans.
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
kudos:1

tax

Tax non-cable tv VOIP (Vonage) and online independent content distributors (Google, Netflix, etc) to pay billions for a new network by ILECs and incumbent cables (TWC/CC/COX/Charter)?

BF69
Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

Re: tax

said by patcat88:

Tax non-cable tv VOIP (Vonage) and online independent content distributors (Google, Netflix, etc) to pay billions for a new network by ILECs and incumbent cables (TWC/CC/COX/Charter)?
VoIP already pays into the USF fund even though logically they shouldn't

DrModem
Premium
join:2006-10-19
USA
kudos:1

Whatever it is

You can be sure it will be terrible for the consumer and enrich the current mega telecoms and cablecos.

goalieskates
Premium
join:2004-09-12
Knoxville, TN

Re: Whatever it is

said by DrModem:

You can be sure it will be terrible for the consumer and enrich the current mega telecoms and cablecos.
Amen.

One of the oldest jokes in the world is "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you." When did people start believing that stuff?

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

Re: Whatever it is

All they have to do is do what Japan did.

Yeah, right, never happen.
tdouglas22

join:2001-09-25
Memphis, TN

My two cents....

Considering how lackluster and sorry the broadband deployment is in this country's rural areas, I'm very hopeful for this new project. Hopefully it will spur more competition which will always be good for consumers in the end. It also opens the possibilities for new job opportunities as well. Only time will tell on this one but I'm keeping an open mind about it.

sharkyyoung

@gbis.net

Re: My two cents....

I agree but don't hold your breath.

DrModem
Premium
join:2006-10-19
USA
kudos:1
Hope didn't help the presidency very much.
tdouglas22

join:2001-09-25
Memphis, TN

Re: My two cents....

said by DrModem:

Hope didn't help the presidency very much.
I guess we could avoid this from turning into a political debate. They really are played out at this stage.

Shamayim
I already have a Messiah.
Premium
join:2002-09-23

Re: My two cents....

The debate is over, ostriches excepted.

woodward
XMission Broadband
VIP
join:2000-12-28
Salt Lake City, UT
Sadly, this forum lost most credibility some time ago due to this encouraged tendency.
jarthur31

join:2006-04-14
Carlsbad, NM
I agree. I'll wait this out before I make an opinion. I didn't vote for this administration but I'm more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt in this case.
brianiscool

join:2000-08-16
40303
kudos:1

universal broadband

I am all for it, if they could provide 100Mbs to each house hold. It would save me $70 a month.

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1

Re: universal broadband

but it will cost you $1000 bucks in taxes.
brianiscool

join:2000-08-16
40303
kudos:1

Re: universal broadband

doubtful if ever citizen is paying $50 a year on broadband tax I think it will pay off.

DaveDude
No Fear

join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1
Reviews:
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·ViaTalk

Re: universal broadband

said by brianiscool:

doubtful if ever citizen is paying $50 a year on broadband tax I think it will pay off.
and how much taxes will you pay for the project additionally ?

DrModem
Premium
join:2006-10-19
USA
kudos:1
said by brianiscool:

doubtful if ever citizen is paying $50 a year on broadband tax I think it will pay off.
$50/year for 150m people totals up to $7.5billion/year, I'd pay it as long as I got a good net connection out of it...
--
The experiment of building a world without countries or religion was called the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics. Between 30 and 60 million people died as a result of it.

texans20
Premium
join:2002-09-28
Texas!
said by brianiscool:

doubtful if ever citizen is paying $50 a year on broadband tax I think it will pay off.
I don't want to pay for your healthcare, or your damn internet.
--
Farming the Tard
wentlanc
You Can't Fix Dumb..

join:2003-07-30
Maineville, OH

Re: universal broadband

What about the fire department, police, water, electrical, etc? You pay for some portion of all new builds for utilities in your area, and regular operations of the emergency services. It's fairly amusing how semi-socialized services are just fine if it's something you want or need.

If you ever get robbed, or if your house is burning down, why don't you set an example for us all, and just not call 911 so that other people don't have to pay for you...

cw

texans20
Premium
join:2002-09-28
Texas!

Re: universal broadband

said by wentlanc:

What about the fire department, police, water, electrical, etc? You pay for some portion of all new builds for utilities in your area, and regular operations of the emergency services. It's fairly amusing how semi-socialized services are just fine if it's something you want or need.

If you ever get robbed, or if your house is burning down, why don't you set an example for us all, and just not call 911 so that other people don't have to pay for you...

cw
Electric is a private for-profit company in my area. Fire, police, and water are all ran locally not nationally by the FCC. If you want socialized internet in your town then by all means go for it. I don't want it on a national level because it will be a disaster (not to mention unconstitutional).

I have no problem with local cities who push out some sort of broadband initiative, I might even support one myself if it makes sense. I'm against something like that on a national level though for many reasons.
--
Farming the Tard
wentlanc
You Can't Fix Dumb..

join:2003-07-30
Maineville, OH

Re: universal broadband

Does it really mean that the gov is building internet in this country, or just laying a framework for private industry to follow. The problem with private industry is they are milking the existing infrastructure to make as much money as possible. Many people believe that it is in our best interest to "spur" them to either build out, or move out of the way.

What specifically is unconstitutional about it?

cw

Romney2012
Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe in
Premium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4
said by DaveDude:

but it will cost you $1000 bucks in taxes.
Copps has his own plan on how private company / government cooperation will work for broadband: »broadbandcensus.com/2009/05/fcc-···s-copps/
But the private sector can, and should, be a “lead locomotive… fueled by far-seeing public policy” in fulfilling the goal of a national network, Copps said.
Translation: Private investors can do most of the funding & the all-seeing, all-knowing government wonks will tell them how to spend their money. Sort of like they are doing now for GM & Chrysler. Gov't kicks in some funds, but then wants to dictate how ALL the money is spent.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
tdouglas22

join:2001-09-25
Memphis, TN

Re: universal broadband

Considering that the company would go under, in the case with the banks and auto industry, if the money wasn't kicked in.... I think it's perfectly reasonable for the government to want the company that they invested in to become profitable again.

Romney2012
Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe in
Premium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4

Watch the interview on C-Span or YouTube late Saturday

If you want to watch the interview, it will be aired on C-Span on Saturday at 6:30 P.M. EDT.
Story: »broadbandcensus.com/2009/05/fcc-···s-copps/

And will be on the following web sites after it airs on Saturday:
»cspan.org/Series/Communicators.aspx

&

»www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p···9A5E518E
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page

i31down6up

@comcast.net

Whatthehell....

US taxpayers have given hundreds of billions to banks, Wall Street, insurance companies and car companies.

I vote we give a couple hundred billion to Comcast and have them fiber up the rest of the country.


See 7 replies to this post

duder

@rr.com

free for us

will this mean i get cable for free no say goodbye to cable
going back to two cups and a string

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Reviews:
·AT&T DSL Service

Why do I see some sort of new Universal Tax Fund

... that in effect will give even more money to the same tired incumbents who already control broadband.

I hope I'm wrong. I doubt it.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

Anony_mouse

@direcpc.com

Anything but satellite...

It's not even an option here.

tim_k
Buttons, Bows, Beamer, Shadow, Kasey
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-02
Stewartstown, PA
kudos:13

down the tubes

You know what we got for the billions PA gave Verizon to give us 45 Mbps service, nothing! »Picture Perfect Deal

Will this be more of the same?

tech329

@rr.com

Govt in the Tank

Our government is in the tank for corporate America and has been for as long as I can remember. Any plan will be sure to be shaded to the advantage of the major carriers. This is because corporate America is a major contributor to political campaigns and no matter what our elected officials say their decisions are influenced by where they get their money.

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